Shoreditch Kitchen

Over the festive break I wanted to catch up with one project in particular, my Shoreditch Kitchen menu design.Back when this brief was launched I was overwhelmed with the planning and organizing of the Halloween fundraiser and wasn't feeling too well, due to this I postponed it until I had enough time to concentrate on the detailed design. My brief was to create a traditional A3 tri-fold menu with a fresh design aimed at the 'hipster' audience of the restaurant.

Recent trends in colour of design and backed up by the Pantone of the year colours rose quatrz and serenity so a dirty feel of pastels to be rising in popularity. I choose to use a blue tone, a close mix to both colours to create a retro diner-esque feel with the added iconography of the food items from the menu I feel this connects to create the feel I waned. This I illustrated into a recurring pattern to form a stylized branding image to translate onto other materials, such as the app and possibly the take out bag. I wanted a script type logo to sit within the very structured and designed feel of the icons and typography within the menu. This was my first project I choose to use Adobe Illustrator to create each icon, I had never worked with this program before now and with a short demonstration in class and delving myself into the application itself, I now feel confident using this tool for future projects

Colour Inspiration 

Branding concept with menu

I would like to develop the app and refine a few parts of this project but I am happy with my work and feel it will add a fresh feel to my portfolio. I am hoping to include a more interactive element to the app and apply the icon pattern to the take out bag or include some packaging for the take away food.

NAP x

SoundBite Finals

The time came for another project to end this week with a presentation to our client, Town Hall Symphony Hall in Birmingham, Sound Bite. This project was originally set to end and handed over to our client before Christmas but due to some unexpected events, the client had to reschedule. This gave my team a chance to refine our work and finally create a cohesive brand identity in the designs. I took it upon myself to make a few adjustments to the final work along with another team member to bring our work together and to have the best presentation of our work, this created a little tension when it came to presentation day with one other member. After the presentation the client gave us some great feedback but I couldn't help feel a little disappointed with how some members of the team acted and their contribution to the work. I am relieved to have this project out of the way in all honestly and believe what we have created has answered the clients brief. There are some elements of this project I like but others I feel could have been approached a lot better. 

I have to admit working within the team we had was very difficult at times and I do feel that the quality of work lacks because of this. I originally loved the concept and branding image we reached but feel it doesn't come across as I pictured. I realise the strain group work can have on a project if the members aren't completely working together, I have a suspicions it was because of the international barrier and difference this created between the group with communications that lead to this. I feel a lack of energy and enthusiasm about the project and task in hand became a apparent at times from the overwhelming work load of this year. I have definitely took some lessons from the past weeks working on this and hope to resolve issues and learn from the mistakes and difficulties I experienced.

Logo & Brand concept

Poster Campaign

Membership email & Card

Website 

App

Shark Interactivity

Light show through projection mapping

Vinyl stickers

NAP x

Ikon visit

This week we were given the chance to visit the Ikon gallery in Birmingham to experience an exhibition by Fionna Banner 'Scroll down and keep scrolling' focusing on typography. I haven't really ventured to Birmingham that often since starting university so this year I hope to visit the city and more galleries. This was to be my first gallery visit in Birmingham, this gallery was small in size having this exhbition as the main event within many small spaces in the building.

This was to inspire and inform us as part of our typography module and the brief we were given to create an exhibition space proposing typography installations and designs. The brief I have chosen to approach is the competition brief 'eye witness' set by ISTD which asks to create a space within a gallery to allow the audience to feel as if they are experiencing a significant event from a personal eye witness account.

IKON gallery

 NAP x

China

Today was the first meeting with Phil and Lisa talking about the upcoming exchange trip with Changsha Central South University. I loved my experience so much of course I choose to attend to find out some more information about this years trip and the potential of returning. With my recent studies abroad and confidence in traveling to many different places this past year, I was looking forward to see what would be different about the experience this year.

I couldn't help but think back to the time I was first presented with a very similar video and information and my thoughts and feelings then. I felt very wary and nervous about traveling such a distance back then especially alone and in experiencing the difference in culture and food. However the whole trip from start to finish was such an amazing experience that I have now fond memories from those two weeks which I will forever be thankful for.

Myself enjoying a calligraphy workshop at Changsha Central South University 

Since that trip I had always expressed my interest in returning to China and being part of the Changsha University and exchange program again. However I feel that this year with the current work load and the expenses rising for flights and travel, returning may not be the best choice and decision for myself. I would really like to concentrate on my current projects and building my portfolio to be the best it can be for when I leave my studies. Last year I wanted to gain as much experience and grab as many opportunities as possible and I feel that I learnt a lot from traveling and living abroad. With my studies nearing their end now, I feel that by focusing my attention on them I will gain the grade I am after and have the portfolio I want.

Before Christmas there was a brief mention of an upcoming field trip to Amsterdam for the whole class. I have always wanted to visit Amsterdam and experience the galleries and art scene its so famous for. Therefor I feel my money and time would be best invested in doing things and traveling to places I haven't before.

NAP x